Four cancers, three strokes, two brain aneurysms, a divorce, and 27 surgeries — and she came out on the other side with a book, a podcast, and a whole lot of laughter.

Teresa Baglietto joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living for a raw and deeply relatable conversation about surviving the unsurvivable. From her first cancer diagnosis in 2008 through a decade of medical crises, Teresa shares how she leaned on her faith, her village of friends, and her sense of humor to keep going.

She opens up about raising three boys through it all, writing her book, The Ripple Effect, and launching her podcast In Shock — both rooted in the belief that our hardest moments don't have to define us, but they can absolutely shape us.

Takeaways:

(1) Laughter is medicine. Teresa credits her community of funny, loving friends as one of her most powerful healing tools. Giving yourself permission to laugh — even in the darkest moments — releases stress, shifts your energy, and brings moments of joy when you need them most.

(2) Suppression creates disease. Teresa and Brigitte both emphasize that keeping your struggles hidden can catch up with you. Being vocal and open about what you're going through isn't weakness — it's a survival strategy.

(3) Your anchors matter. Rather than just talking about resilience, Teresa's book, The Ripple Effect, focuses on the anchors — the specific habits, people, and mindsets that actually carry you through. Resilience is the outcome; the anchors are the practice.

Check out Teresa's book "The Ripple Effect" - https://www.amazon.com/Ripple-Effect-Teresa-Baglietto/dp/B0G2SXSLXG

Her podcast "In Shock" on YouTube and all major platforms https://www.youtube.com/@inshock.podcast

Connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/inshock.podcast/

Visit her website at https://teresabaglietto.com

And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who needs a reminder that joy is always worth fighting for.

Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) is an ultra-rare diagnosis that often requires a long, complex journey toward answers.

In this episode, Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, hosts of the Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast, to explore their lives with the same rare subtype of CMD.

From meeting on a Zoom call to becoming close friends and collaborators , they share how they navigated the transition to mobility devices for independence and safety , the frustrations of a world not built for them , and their mission to amplify disabled voices through female empowerment.

3 Key Takeaways

(1) Diagnosis is a Spectrum: Avery was diagnosed at age seven after extensive testing , while Kelly lived with a misdiagnosis until her late 20s ; their experiences highlight that CMD is a spectrum disorder where every individual's journey is unique

(2) The Difference Between Compliance and Access: The ADA provides only a "bare minimum" for public spaces , but many private or older venues, such as New York theaters, remain inaccessible , forcing those with disabilities to perform exhausting "pre-planning" just to run basic errands.

(3) The Power of Allyship and Unlearning: Being a supportive ally starts with a willingness to "unlearn" misconceptions and assumptions about the disability community , understanding that there is power in collective action to enact meaningful, lasting change.

Action items: - Support and listen to people with disabilities- Advocate for accessible environments- Stay informed about genetic testing and health

Check out Kelly and Avery’s stories on the Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast—available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube—and follow their mission to uplift and empower rare voices.

"I was in robot mode: high productivity, zero emotional connection."

Kevin Rice built a company from his garage to 250 employees and $40M in revenue, but the "success" felt hollow. In this episode, we dive into how to break out of survival mode, redefine "balance" through intentionality, and lead your family with the same passion you bring to your career.

Key Takeaways

(1) Move from Balance to Intentionality: True work-life balance may be unrealistic for high performers, but intentionality is achievable by planning family time with the same focus and purpose as a business meeting.

(2) Beware of "Robot Mode": Leaders often default to "robot mode"—a state of high productivity without emotional connection—during intense stress. While this helps business survival, it prevents you from feeling the joys and highs of your achievements.

(3) Lead by Example, Not Compliance: Parenting is less about enforcing chores and more about modeling values like grit and initiative. Children are more likely to contribute to the household naturally when they see their parents working for something they believe in.

Visit the CEO's and ABC's podcast - https://www.ceosandabcs.com/

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmrice/